Any changes to your voice?

[[88...]]

I may be hyper-attuned to this as an actor and singer, but I can’t tell if now-and-then changes in my speaking and singing voice come from the nightmare of withdrawal or if it’s other factors. Thank you.

[[Gr...]]

What changes have you noticed?  I don't think I have noticed any major changes...maybe a bit scratchier of a voice?

[[88...]]

Some aspects are hard to describe in writing but it has to do with resonance.

 

But yes, my voice gets scratchy sometimes. And decidedly lower in pitch. These changes have come for a bit and left, on and off. In this current wave I also have less control over my voice - it’s slightly wavery and I have trouble holding a note without going off pitch.

[[Ma...]]

Musician/singer too. YES! Messes with my voice something awful. It's weak where it was strong, reedy where it was full. It's a big fat drag.

[[un...]]

I've noticed, in the past few weeks, that I have some throat dryness and my voice is a bit on the raspy side.

[[Ea...]]

IMO, this more than likely has to do with the affects this medication has on the vagus nerve. There doesn’t seem to be any evidence that it is permanent though. I would assume that if you haven’t had anything prior to the medication that could have caused these changes, it would more than likely return to normal once fully recovered. Take care, all the best

[Guest [so...]]

Marina I'm in a similar state, i was a classical singer and now can't hold a note without going off pitch, also voice very thin and reedy, no strength to it at all. I was a vocal coach as well and can't work anymore as i can't demonstrate to my students what i want them to do, it's very depressing.

[[Bl...]]

I am, by no means, a singer of any sort!  However, I call my nesting pair of bluebirds with a high “soo-ee” when I put out mealworms for them.  Last summer I simple couldn’t do it.  It came out crackled and lower in pitch and I couldn’t get any volume either.  It was terribly disturbing and I was terrified.

 

I had an appointment with a very reputable ENT doc already scheduled for a routine matter and so I brought it up with him.  He put a scope up my nose and down my throat to look at my vocal cords.  Everything looked perfect!  He couldn’t explain the sudden change in my voice, except to say that it could have been from greater amounts of pollen in the air.  I have suffered from hay fever for years and never experienced anything like this, somehow I knew it was the benzos.

 

After researching on the BB forum I did find someone else who had voice issues as well.  It took me about 8 weeks or so, but my high register voice and volume came back completely!  I’ve had no other voice issues since then.

 

It must be doubly disturbing for people who make their living in the performing arts. I am very confident that this is only temporary and you will be back to singing beautifully soon.  If you have any doubts, get scoped just to make sure.  It’s easy.  Knowing that my throat and vocal cords were fine was very reassuring.  I have found that staying calm and positive is a key part of my healing, so try not to worry. 

 

Good luck! You’ll be ok!